Fire hydrant



Oct. 11,1932.

A. C. PILCHER FIRE HYDRANT Filed Nov. 29. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 INVENTOR 0a. 11, 1932. v A, HLCH 1,882,299

FIRE HYDRANT Filed Nov. 29. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED: STATES ARTHUR CTPILCHER, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA I FIRE HYDRANT Application filed November 29, 1929. Serial No. 410,293.

This invention relates to, a hydrant, and particularly to hydrants adapted for use with a relatively large-volume and pressure of liquid, as is the case with fire hydrants.

One object of the invention is to provide a hydrant in which the main valve seats, and is held in seated position, firmly against the water pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hydrant in which the entire valve and operating mechanism may be readily removed as a unit from the barrel of the hy-' drant, without the use of special tools, or without digging up the hydrant and removing the seat. I

Another object of theinvention is to pro v vide a hydrant having the valve means and operating parts so arranged in the barrel of the hydrant that extension sections may be inserted between the barrel containing the operating means and the water supply main without necessitating any addition to or change in the arrangement of'the hydrant structure proper. 95 Still another object of the invention is to provide drip valves carried by the main valve stem or spindle to close when the main valve is open and to open when the main valve is closed, which are so mounted that they move vertically with movement of the main stem while remaining in alignment with their own seat. Drip valves funotionto drain completely the hydrant, and to prevent water which may remain in the hydrant after use, or which may otherwise collect in the hydrant (due to a leaky main valve) from freezing. Drip valves have been used heretofore, but the object of this invention is to provide an arrangement of valveswhich is particu larly effective in use and easy to repair.

In the accompanying drawings Figure I is a vertical sectional view through the hydrant of the present invention and through the connecting elbow of the supply main to which itis attached; Figure II is an elevation showing the stem, threaded'flange and drip valve assembly of the device; Figure III is a plan view of the stem and threaded flange shown in detail in Figure II; Figure IV is a plan view of the drip valve yoke;

gaging appropriate receiving grooves 17 in the inner wall of the barrel section. Throughout its upper portion sleeve 15 is stem 19 having a socket connection 19a with Figure -V is a side elevation of the internally threaded sleeve which receives the threaded flange and drip valve yoke, and Figure VI is a plan view of the sleeve shown in Figure i 1 .In. the drawings the reference numeral 1' designates the upper and outlet section of the barrel, and reference numeral 2 the lower and inletsection'of the barrel. These two barrel sections are interconnected by suitable means such as bolts 3 passing through matching flanges on the two sections, andthe upper end of the upper barrel section l is closed by means of a cap 4 .fastened by bolts 5 to an upper flange on this section. Cap 4 com- 155 prises a housing 6 which contains a mounting member 7 for the stem operating rod 8 and a packing gland 9 arranged to prevent leakage past the mounting member As shown the rod 8 is angular in cross section and is free to slide but not rotate within the member 7,

which has the operating nut 10 aflixed to its upper extremty. Nozzle 11 is disposed in the wall of barrel section 1; v, i

The valve seat comprises a plate 12 between the lower barrel section 2 and elbow 13 of the supplymain, having its periphery engaged between co-operating flanges on the barrel section 2 and elbow member 13. These co-operating flanges are mutually secured by .means of bolts 14.

Within barrel section 2 is a sleeve 15, which is held against rotation and upward move ment in the barrelby means of lugs 16 eninteriorly threaded to co-operate with a threaded flange 18, which is carried by a 0 the operating rod 8. The drip valve yoke 20 has a central threaded aperture 21 cooperating with the threaded portion 22. of the stem 19 lying below threaded flange 18. At the ends of drip valve yoke 20 are lugs 23 arranged-to engage in vertical guides or grooves 24 in the inner face of sleeve 15,'in

line with lugs 16. The upper edge of sleeve 15 is provided with inclines 25 tapered toward the grooves 24, for receiving the lugs 23 at the ends of drip valve yoke 20. These inclines facilitate the entrance of the drip valve yoke lugs into their receiving grooves in the sleeve when the threaded flange 19 is brought into contact with the sleeve 15 and rotated into threaded engagement therewith. The main valve is shown as comprising a body 26, having engagement with the'lower end of stem 19. The valve body 26 comprises a central portion-and a peripheral flange 28 overlying seat-washer 29. Seat-washer 29 is embraced between the flange 28 and a washer 30 connected with the central portion of the plate 26. It will be noticed that the seating face of seat plate 12 flares upwardly toward the barrel of the hydrant, so that the valve body seats downwardly therein against a liquid pressure in the elbow 13.

Extending horizontally in seat plate 12 are a pair of drip ports 31 leading from seating cups 32. These seating'cups receive the body members 33 of the drip valves,

which have stems v3 1 depending from the drip valve yoke 20. It will be noticed that the bodies 33 of thedrip valves have a sliding engagement with the constricted portions 35 of the seating cups, so that the valve bodies To pass may be raised completely therefrom.

The connection between stem 19 and the valve body is shown in Figure II of the drawings. The connecting member is a pin 36 fitting loosely in an orifice in the lower end of the stem 19, and having a-threaded portion 37 engaging the valve portion 26. Pin 36 has thereon a shoulder 38 arranged 'to'abut a closure plate secured to the end of the stem 19 to hold the upper portion of the pin in its orifice in the stem. Because of this swivel engagement, the valve body is moved vertically with the stem 19, but is not rotated by rotation of the stem. 7

In assembling the operating elements of the hydrant, with the threaded sleeve 15 in position in barrel section 2, threaded flange 18 is brought into alignment with the upper end of the sleeve 15 and rotated until the drip valve lugs 23' engage in their grooves 2 1 in the sleeve 15. Further rotation causes the threaded flange 18 to engage with the threads of'sleeve 15. In order to seat the valve, flange 18 is further rotated by means 1 of operating rod 8 and nut 10, until the main "valve body comes to rest in seating plate 12.

During this movement the drip valve yoke moves vertically downward, and the drip valve bodies 33 are. maintained in alignment with'the seating cups 32 by means of the engagement of the drip valve yoke in the grooves 24 ofsleeve. 15. As shown in Figure I,'when the main valve is closed, the drip 'valve bodies lie sufficiently within the seating cups to permit passage of liquid therearound and outwardly through the drip ports 31. 7

liquid through the hydrant, stem carrying with it the drip valve bodies 33. The total vertical movement of the yoke 20,

manifestly, must be less than the vertical movement of the threaded flange 18; that is, the vertical movement of the rods 34 whichv is necessary toclose the drip valves is much less than the necessary movement of the flange 18 to open the main valve of the hydrant. The threads of the flange 18 and on the stem 22 are so related as to their pitch that, when the flange 18 is rotated to move it upward, the yoke 20 lowers upon the stem 22. The distance through which the yoke lowers upon the stem 22 is less than that through which the flange 18 rises, per revolution of the flange, and accordingly'the re- 1 is merely rotated until threaded flange 18 is free of its threaded engagement with sleeve 15. Simultaneously the drip valve bodies 33 are withdrawn from the seating cups 32. The entire valve and valve operating assembly may then be removedfrom the barrel by merely removing-the barrel cap 4:, and lifting out the entire valve assembly including stem 19, flange 18, and drip valve yoke 20.

It will be noted that the hydrant shown and described is so arranged that its main valve seats downwardly against water pres- .sure, thus provldlng a rapld unseatlng to permit liquid flow through the hydrant.

While in seated position the main valve is held positively to its seat because of the threaded connection between the threaded flange 18, on the stem 19, and the sleeve 15. Because of the downward seating of the valve, it is also possible to remove the valve and valve operating parts as a unit, without removing the seating plate from its engagement, and

without the use of special tools; Because of the nature of the valve operating means employed, it is also unnecessary tomake any change in the operating means if anextension section is to be added between the valve seat plate 12 and the elbow 13. In hydrants which have their main' valves'closing against water pressure, and, which have their Working parts removable as a unit (such as the hydrant of my invention) the insertion of extension sections has heretofore been impossible.

It should be further noted that if the upper barrel of the hydrant be fractured, the valve will still remain seated to prevent an undesired flow of liquid. In such case the upper barrel may be removed and, a new barrel section placed in position without disturbing the position of the valve. Such advantage has not been incident to hydrants in which.

the valve and operating means therefor are so arranged that the valve seats downwardly against water pressure.

What I claim is: r

1. In a hydrant including a valve seat and a valve, the combination of a stem fixed to said valve and free to rotate relatively thereto, a threaded flange integral with said stem, ports passing transversely through said flange, threads adjacent the inner-wall of the hydrant, said threaded flange being in threaded engagement with said threads, a drip valve adjacent said valve seat, a yoke in threaded engagement with said stem below said flange, a connection from said yoke to said drip valve, whereby by rotating said flange and stem the valve is caused to rise from its seat and the connection from the yoke to the drip valve is caused to move and close said drip valve.

2. In a hydrant including a valve plate having a valve seat therein and a valve to fit said seat, the combination of a stem fixed to said valve, a threaded flange integral with said stem, passageways opening transversely through said flange, an internally threaded sleeve fixed in said hydrant, said threaded flange being in threaded engagement with said sleeve, a yoke aflixed to said stem, a groove in said sleeve, a portion of said yoke slidable in said groove, a drip valve vconnected to an opening through said valve plate, a connection from said yoke to said drip valve, whereby by suitably rotating'said flange and stem the valve is caused to move from the valve seat and said connection is caused to close said drip valve.

8. In a hydrant the combination of a valve seat, a valve body, a stem secured to said valve body, an externally threaded flange rigidly secured to said stem at an interval above said valve body, a port passing through seat, a valve body, a stem secured to said valve body, an externally threaded flange rigidly secured to said stem at an interval above said valve body, threads adjacent the inner-wall of said hydrant, a slot inset from said threads, said flange being normally in threaded engagement with said threads, said stem being threaded between said flange and said valve body, a drip valve structure mounted on said stem and in threaded engagement therewith for travel thereon, and a lug projecting from said drip valve structure into said slot, which engagement of the lug in said slot is adapted to admit of travel of said drip valve structure upon said threaded stem.

5. In a hydrant including a valve seat and a valve, the combination of a stem carrying said valve, an externally threaded flange rigidly secured to said stem, threads adjacent the inner-wall of said hydrant, said flange being normally in threaded engagement with said threads, a slot inset from said threads,

a drip valve structure which is adapted todownwardly, and guiding surfaces inclining I upwardly from said slot for the facilitation of the positioning of said lug in said slot, as described.

6. In a hydrant including a valve seat and a valve, the combination of a stem carrying said valve, an externally threaded flange rigidly secured to said stem, an internally threaded sleeve secured in said hydrant, a slot inset from the threads of said sleeve, said flange being normally in threaded engagement with the threads of said sleeve, a drip valve structure which is adapted to travel on said stem, which drip valve structure includes a lug that projects into said slot, and guiding surfaces on the upper edge of said sleeve, which guiding surfacesv incline upwardly from said slot for the facilitation of the positioning of the parts, as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR C. PILCHER.

said flange, threads adjacent the inner-wall Y of said hydrant, said flange being normally" in threaded engagement with said threads, said stem being threaded between said flange and said valve body, a drip valve structure carried on said stem and in threaded engagement therewith for travel thereon, and means for prevention of the rotation of said drip valve structure when said stem is rotated and said drip valve structure travels thereon.

4. In a hydrant the combination of a valve 

